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What is Occupational Therapy?
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Occupational Therapy (OT) helps people of all ages live life to the fullest by promoting health, independence, and well-being through everyday activities—also known as “occupations.” These are the meaningful tasks we need or want to do in our daily lives, such as getting dressed, preparing meals, going to school or work, or spending time with loved ones.
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The goal of OT is to help individuals participate fully in the activities that give their lives meaning and purpose, whether they’re recovering from an injury, managing a chronic condition, or facing physical, cognitive, or emotional challenges.
How Occupational Therapy Helps
Occupational therapists use a personalized, hands-on approach to help clients improve or regain the skills needed for daily life. Therapy may focus on one or more of the following key areas
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Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
Essential self-care tasks like bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, and personal hygiene.
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Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs)
More complex tasks that support independent living, such as managing money, cooking, caring for pets or family members, driving, or doing household chores.
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Work and Volunteering
Helping individuals find, keep, or return to work by building job-related skills or modifying tasks and environments for better performance and comfort.
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Play and Leisure
Encouraging meaningful recreation—like sports, hobbies, or games—that supports development, social connection, and life balance.
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Social Participation
Fostering connections with family, friends, and the wider community, especially when social skills or confidence are impacted by injury, illness, or disability.
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Rest and Sleep
Creating routines and habits that promote restful sleep and healthy energy levels throughout the day.
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Education
Supporting participation in learning environments by adapting materials, tools, or strategies for success in school or other educational settings.
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Who can benefit from OT?
Occupational Therapy supports people at all stages of life.
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Whether recovering from injury, living with a disability, or managing chronic conditions, OT empowers people to live life to the fullest by enhancing their ability to perform and enjoy everyday tasks.
Infants
Developmental Delay, Prematurity, Torticollis,
Sensory Processing Difficulties
Interventions:
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Promoting motor development through guided play and positioning.
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Sensory regulation strategies for infants with high irritability or difficulty self-soothing.
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Parent education on developmental milestones and bonding through daily routines.
School Age Children
ADHD, Learning Disabilities, Anxiety,
Developmental Coordination Disorder
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Interventions:
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Handwriting and visual-motor skills for classroom success.
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Executive functioning strategies for attention, task completion, and organization.
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Self-regulation tools for managing emotional responses and transitions.
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Adaptive techniques for increased independence in IADLs such as meal prep or home responsibilities.
Children (Toddlers-Preschoolers)
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Cerebral Palsy,
Sensory Processing Disorder
Interventions:
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Play-based therapy to encourage fine motor skills, coordination, and sensory integration.
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Activities to promote ADLs like dressing, toileting, and feeding independence.
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Strategies to reduce sensory sensitivities.
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Structured routines and social skill development to support communication and interaction.
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Retained primitive reflex integration through exercises and changes in movement.
Older Adults
Stroke, Parkinson’s Disease, Dementia,
Arthritis, Fall Risk
Interventions:
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Rehabilitative exercises to regain mobility and independence after injury or illness.
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Environmental modifications to promote safety in the home (e.g., grab bars, assistive devices).
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Cognitive strategies to manage memory loss and maintain routines in early dementia.
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Energy conservation and joint protection techniques for chronic conditions like arthritis.
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Support with leisure engagement and social participation to combat isolation.